Former Don Young staffers backing Democrat over Sarah Palin in Alaska

Some former staffers for the late Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young are backing Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola over her Republican challengers, former Gov. Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III.

Peltola won an upset victory in a special election to replace the late congressman, in no small part due to the state's ranked choice voting system and the split Republican ticket.

She faces a rematch against Palin and Begich in November, however, in her bid for a full term and some of her predecessors' associates are throwing their support across the aisle to her.

Former Young staffers and associates have signed on to a letter asking Alaska voters to back Peltola, according to Business Insider, in which they highlight her bipartisan credentials.

"Her commitment to running a positive race, bipartisan approach to public service, and legislative priorities that put Alaska at the forefront underpin the basis of our endorsement," they wrote.

Peltola, supports abortion rights, but is also a member of the National Rifle Association and in favor of traditional energy production, Business Insider observed.

Some of the staffers expressed concerns to the outlet that Republican candidates were simply seeking the national spotlight. "Palin and Begich are really more focused on their political careers before policymaking," former Young communications director Zack Brown said. Pamela Day, his former chief of staff, echoed Brown's position, saying of the Republicans that there are "looking at this as an opportunity to become a loud voice amongst many other loud voices."

Begich, in particular, previously worked for Young but ran a campaign against him in 2021. "It was just such an invasion of our goodwill and the Congressman's goodwill," one staffer said to the outlet. "We were completely hoodwinked and betrayed."